We
assume you're
sending
mixes that you have listened to carefully and already approve for
mastering. We're
happy to address any
balance issues
that
concern you.
One of our goals is to
open up the sound and make everything clear and
warm. But remember, your mastered CDR may
reveal
more than you knew was in your mix. Like percussion ditties that
were
buried... room sound on the drums.... breathing in the
vocals... distortion in tracks that was covered up by excess low end in
the mix...
Not to panic.
It will all work out - assuming there's enough of a time
allowed - so plan ahead! Have your ISRC Codes AHEAD
OF TIME! We must have them prior to
creating your master! Save time by carefully listening to your
master files and/or Separations to be sure there are no clicks, gaps or
other sonic issues that can occur on digital systems.
Masters
are released upon
full payment.
Record
Labels
We provide certified masters for a fee of $250.00 each. Red Book
compliant with all UPC/ISRC information provided - audio/data checked.
Indie
Artists/Producers
Please
take the time to carefully listen to one of the masters from beginning
to end on a good system or headphones so that you can be sure that
everything is perfect.
Once
you have your master it's your
responsibility that the music and documentation is 100% correct.
Rather than charge up to $500.00 for a single
certified master (the way
that some studios do) we have you do the final check-through and save
that extra money.
Certainly if the CD pressing plant you use finds any defects in a
master that you submit, we'll promptly replace the master at no charge
to you. Any duplication or replication company you use is only
responsible for copying exactly what you give them.
Since you approved your reference disc (or have authorized us to
approve it) everything should be the same, unless there were minor
changes that we both know about.
In any case, double-check that:
• The start ID's all work correctly from song-to-song and the spacing
feels right
• The CD Text information on your documentation is spelled correctly
• There are no tics, glitches, dropouts or any other audio issues
• Your ISRC codes are correct for each song
• Any other bar codes, catalog numbers, contact info is correct on your
documentation
• I recommend that the data on your master is transferred to the Glass
Master (made by the pressing plant) at 1X (1-times speed) or 2X, but no
faster than 4X. Ask them if there is an extra charge for this
service.
Common question:
Why don't the titles of the songs show up on my computer like other
consumer CD's?
The answer is because CD TEXT is not the same as CDDB (CD Data
Base). We provide CD Text - that's when you put your CD into a modern
car player, DVD player, (some) boom boxes that have alpha-numeric
displays that show the titles/artist name, etc.
CDDB is when your CD automatically shows the titles, artist name, etc.
in iTunes or other computer player. You are required (or your digital
distribution company is required) to input this information - it is not
part of our services. If you do this yourself, use iTunes "Get Info" to
access the information fields - input all the titles, names etc. - then
used the Advanced>Submit Track Names selection in the menu bar.
NOTE: ONCE YOU'VE CLICKED Submit Track Names it is DONE. Double check
your spelling! This works for iTunes. For Windows Media players,
contact (or submit a CD) to AllMusic.com
IMPORTANT: Whether you
come in or
you send your masters by mail, BACK THEM UP. We're not
responsible for lost or damaged masters either by us or your
shipping company. So far all masters have
been safe and accounted for, but be on the safe side by making DVD, CD,
data files, or analog copies. If you're on DAT or dedicated CD burner,
make an extra pass of your mix on separate tapes for each song - one
(first generation) tape/CD to be kept by you. This is just a good idea
even if your tapes never leave your sight.
Once here, we
will take all reasonable measure to ensure the security
of your project, but you are responsible for having backup mixes that
stay in your possession while we're mastering your project. Insurance
on your project can be a good idea too.
More about BACKING UP your
masters
|
"Just got the CD in the mail
today. I have one word for you. Wow! It sounds simply
amazing. The level is perfect, everything sticks out from the
music so much more, and the subtle details have all come to the
front! Excellent work."
-Jon
King,
Greenville, IL
|
"Your great mastering job got the low
end fuller, while maintaining, and even enhancing the clarity of if
all. Plus, it sounds like it's exploding out of all the sound
systems I played it on!"
-Michael
Dulin, Lake
Quivira, KS
|
All CDR's are
physically guaranteed. YOUR part of mastering is to take your
reference CDR and listen to it
on different systems to evaluate the sound, spacing between songs,
edits, etc. After you have approved your reference CDR, then it
is YOUR part of quality control to listen to the actual master CDR you
accept from us to be sure it's 100% perfect for you. We would
have to charge you for the time to listen "start
to finish" to your CD, so in order to save you that cost, we hold YOU
responsible for making the FINAL APPROVAL of the disc you will submit
to any replication or duplication plant. We will fix any mistake
or
error on our part at no charge, but we assume no liability for anything
you accept from us. Here's why:
On very rare occasion, a click, gap or other unexpected sonic issue may
occur in the audio on the disc that may or may not be caused by faulty
media. Vestman Mastering can not be held liable for
these errors. As a matter of course, if an audio error is found on a
disc, the disc will be replaced at no charge to the client.
Therefore,
it is highly suggested that you take your replication master disc and
listen to it at least one time "from beginning to end" on a quality CD
player,
through quality loudspeakers or headphones - remembering to also check
for correct placement of track start locations and any CD text (may not
appear on reference discs if DDP masters are used). Your
part is also
to keep your masters totally clean and free from
scratches or
dust! Do
not listen to your master in a moving vehicle, as scratches commonly
occur in those cases.
Have your ISRC
Codes ahead of time!
We must have them
prior to creating your master! Always plan ahead -- even when it
comes to your graphics and pressings. Different pressing plants
have
different methods for including ISRC codes and CD text, so be
sure to
fill out their informational sheets completely to include all
information and/or encoded data that you want on your pressed CDs.
Changes
to the sound, edits or other creative aspects: Keep in
mind when listening to your final MASTER CDR that you may decide you
want additional
creative changes. Perhaps that solo piano
would
sound better if it were fuller in the low end -- or the fade on Track 6
should be a little shorter, etc. These are artistic preferences and we
will work with you within reason to accommodate these types of sonic
and/or musical second thoughts. But second thoughts are not
defects on our part. We strive before and during a project to
ensure that, as a part of your production team, we are all clear on
exactly what you want for your project. Communication, especially up
front, is everything in this regard. When discussing changes,
remember to differentiate between a defect and a preference.
The
good news is that mastering
is
repeatable and changes are easy to make. If you hear something
that's bothersome, it's really helpful if you tell use the exact time
in the song where the sound occurs that you have a question about. Changes can be creative too,
so keep an open mind when you hear your 1st master CDR.
All
the information that the
replication
plant will need will be included with the mastered CD.
|
